Glycolic Acid → Benzyl 2-hydroxyacetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

NaH (6.31 g, 158 mmol) was suspended in dry THF (500 ml) and cooled to 0° C. 2-hydroxyacetic acid (12 g, 158 mmol) was added portion wise, and the mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour. The solvent was removed, and the residue was suspended in DMF (500 ml); KI (2.488 g, 14.99 mmol) and benzyl bromide (18.77 ml, 158 mmol) were added; and the mixture was heated to 100° C. for 24 hours. The solvent was removed, and the crude was portioned between EtOAc (600 ml) and water (200 ml). The organic phase was washed with brine and dried over Na2SO4. The solvent was removed and the crude was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether/EtOAc 80/20). Benzyl 2-hydroxyacetate was obtained (18.089 g, 69% yield).

Provenance & Evidence